Osteoporosis a disease that causes bones to become fragile and break is a real threat for more than 44 million Americans, or 55 percent of those over the age of 50, according to the National Osteoporosis Foundation. While the disease typically affects older Americans, it can strike at any age.

May is national osteoporosis awareness and prevention month. In recognition of this timely awareness month, Kent State University College of Nursing professors Dr. Peggy Doheny and Dr. Carol Sedlak who have conducted extensive osteoporosis research share risk factors, symptoms and preventative tips to help reduce the risk of osteoporosis and low bone mass.

Risk Factors

While everyone is at risk for osteoporosis, certain individuals and lifestyles are more susceptible to the disease than others. These risk factors include:

Being female

Having a family history of osteoporosis

Being Caucasian

Experiencing estrogen deficiency as a result of menopause

Smoking

Maintaining an inactive life style

Having a low calcium diet

Having specific medical conditions such as anorexia nervosa, hyperthyroid or inflammatory bowel disease

While women experience osteoporosis more often, two million men have it and 12 million are at risk. “In fact, men 50 years of age and older have a higher risk of a fracture from osteoporosis than developing prostate cancer,” says Dr. Doheny.

“If someone is at risk for osteoporosis, they should talk with their healthcare professional about getting a bone density test,” said Doheny. “While Medicare will cover a bone density test scan at age 65 for women and 70 for men, this is often too late. In our recent research, we found 58 percent of postmenopausal women ages 50-65 who participated in the study had experienced significant bone loss and about 50 percent of men 50 years old and younger had experienced compromised bone density.”

Symptoms

Osteoporosis is often referred to as a silent disease because 75 percent of people with the disease are not aware they have it. In fact, symptoms are not present until you break or fracture a bone. “People do not realize a bone fracture or break is actually a bone attack,” said Dr. Doheny.

Prevention

Prevention for osteoporosis starts at a young age by taking enough calcium and vitamin D to build strong bones. About the age of 20, the average woman has acquired approximately 98 percent of her skeletal mass.

“This is precisely why it is important to bank the bone when you are young,” says Dr. Doheny. “You cannot increase your bone density once you lose it; however, you can maintain the bone density you have when you get older by taking calcium and vitamin D and getting about 30 minutes of exercise a day.”

Osteoporosis is preventable. Ways to prevent osteoporosis include:

Increase dietary calcium (1200mg over the age 50) and vitamin D3 (1,000 IU)

Exercise, including weight bearing activity (30 minutes 5 times/week), resistive exercises (2-3 times/week), balance exercises (daily)

Do not smoke

Request a bone density test from your healthcare professional